The Norwegian company Squarehead Technology is introducing advanced acoustic monitoring to the maritime sector. Using AI and directional microphone arrays, the company’s technology can detect abnormal sounds in engine rooms and machinery spaces, long before a trained technichian can detect a problem.
The system is designed for ships and other maritime assets where early detection of technical issues can prevent costly downtime and improve safety.
The technology is now being tested on vessels operated by Fjord1 and will soon be deployed on ferries operating the Lavik–Oppedal route on Norway’s west coast.
Mechanical faults often originate as subtle acoustic signatures as small variations in vibration, cavitation, or mechanical movement. In practice, many faults are first discovered by experienced mechanics with a trained ear and deep familiarity with the machine. Without their presence, these early signals are easily missed, making detection inconsistent and largely a matter of chance.
While vibration sensors and other monitoring systems can also reveal developing issues, achieving full coverage requires multiple sensor types—introducing added complexity, cost, and maintenance challenges.
In practice, it is neither feasible nor realistic to instrument everything, and sensors themselves may fail or drop out without being detected, increasing the risk that early-stage faults go unnoticed.
Acoustic monitoring is not intended to replace such sensors or necessarily detect faults earlier; rather, when a deviation becomes audible, the issue has typically already developed to a stage where action is required. The value lies instead in providing continuous coverage across entire machinery spaces, including equipment that is not already instrumented.
Squarehead’s solution uses advanced microphone arrays combined with AI-based acoustic analysis to continuously monitor sound patterns in machinery spaces. When the system detects deviations from normal operation, it can alert operators and help locate the source of the sound.
In effect, the system adds an additional layer of safety, comparable to having an experienced mechanic continuously present in the engine room, equipped with enhanced hearing and the ability to precisely pinpoint and communicate emerging issues across all onboard systems.
In practice, the system provides something close to “superhearing” inside complex engine and pump rooms.
"The users really gain a superhuman awareness by using our equipment,” product manager Jørgen Grythe explains.
By detecting anomalies early, operators can intervene before minor issues develop into serious technical failures.
The technology also represents a new layer of digital situational awareness for vessels. By translating sound into actionable data, the system effectively digitalizes one of the most important human senses – hearing – allowing both onboard crews and remote operators to monitor vessel systems in real time.
The technology is currently being tested on the ferry MF Skopphorn, which operates the Sykkylven–Magerholm route close to Ålesund.
Following a successful test phase on the Sykkylven–Magerholm route, which demonstrated the system’s effectiveness and convinced Fjord1 of its value, the acoustic monitoring technology from Squarehead will now be implemented on the new vessels operating the Lavik–Oppedal ferry connection.
The 5.6-kilometre crossing runs across the Sognefjord from Lavik in Høyanger municipality to Ytre Oppedal in Gulen municipality and takes around 20 minutes.
"From autumn 2026, four new zero-emission ferries will operate the route with a high degree of automation of vessel systems," Peter A. Brønlund explains.
Lavik–Oppedal is planned to become the world’s first autonomous ferry connection. The vessels will initially operate with advanced automation, while features such as autocrossing and autodocking are expected to be introduced in 2027. Fully autonomous navigation is planned from 2028.
"In such highly automated vessels, new types of sensor systems are needed to provide situational awareness not only of the external environment, but also of internal vessel systems," Brønlund adds.
Acoustic monitoring can play an important role in this sensor ecosystem by detecting anomalies in engines, pumps and other mechanical systems before they escalate into technical failures.
The Lavik–Oppedal project involves several technology companies contributing to the autonomous capabilities of the vessels.
Ocean Autonomy Cluster member SentiSystems is developing sensor fusion technology that integrates data from multiple sensors to provide precise positioning and situational awareness, even in GNSS-denied environments.
Together, technologies such as sensor fusion for navigation and acoustic monitoring of vessel systems form part of the broader technology stack needed to enable safe and reliable autonomous maritime operations.
Squarehead has long experience in advanced acoustic sensing technology and is well established in the defense sector.
"Our systems are widely used for acoustic drone detection and airspace monitoring, identifying airborne threats based on their sound signatures. We are now applying this expertise to maritime applications, where acoustic sensing can be used to monitor vessel machinery and detect anomalies," Jørgen Grythe says.
As shipping moves toward higher levels of automation and remote operation, technologies that digitalize human senses, such as vision, positioning and hearing, are becoming increasingly important components of future vessel operations.
Squarehead is a Norwegian technology company specializing in advanced acoustic sensor systems and AI-driven anomaly detection. Its solutions enable real-time monitoring of critical onboard systems, enhancing situational awareness, safety, and operational efficiency in maritime and autonomous environments. By combining directional audio technology with machine learning, Squarehead supports the transition toward more reliable and fully autonomous vessel operations.
Squarehead Technology is a member of Ocean Autonomy Cluster and an incubator company in the FI Ocean Space Incubator in Trondheim.